Horse Cushings Disease PPID Management

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most common endocrine condition in older horses and requires lifelong management to prevent laminitis, immune compromise, and other complications.

Key Facts

PPID affects an estimated 20-30% of horses over 15 years old and is caused by pituitary gland dysfunction.
Clinical signs include curly coat that fails to shed, increased drinking and urination, muscle wasting, and laminitis.
Diagnosis is confirmed by ACTH measurement, ideally timed to account for seasonal variation in late summer and autumn.
Pergolide (Prascend) is the primary medical treatment and is highly effective at controlling clinical signs when dosed correctly.
Laminitis associated with PPID can cause permanent hoof changes — early diagnosis and management significantly reduces this risk.

Welfare Considerations

Unmanaged PPID causes progressive welfare impairment through laminitis, immunosuppression, and the physical consequences of elevated cortisol throughout the horse's body. The curly coat that fails to shed impairs thermoregulation and is visible evidence of hormonal dysfunction. With appropriate medical management starting before laminitis becomes established, PPID horses can maintain good quality of life for many years. Early diagnosis through proactive testing in horses over 15 is the key welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Test any horse over 15 showing coat, weight, or behaviour changes for PPID through seasonal ACTH measurement.
Administer pergolide consistently at the prescribed dose — compliance is the primary determinant of treatment success.
Implement dietary management to reduce laminitis risk in PPID-positive horses regardless of current laminitis status.
Monitor foot comfort and digital pulse regularly in PPID horses as early laminitis indicators.